DIY Network

Blog Cabin: Bark Siding and Exterior Stain To take the cabin exterior from looking like a construction site to finished home, the Blog Cabin team dons respirators and stains the white pine logs. They also attach rustic poplar-bark siding to the second story exterior. From "Blog Cabin" episode DBLG-105

The stained exterior logs and poplar siding

Since the cabin is made mostly wood, and wood deteriorates over time, special measures are taken to help protect the cabin exterior. Bark siding was chosen to cover portions of the outside, both for its durability and its natural look that will help the cabin blend with its wooded surroundings.

Additionally, the logs themselves are treated to help them be more resistant to the elements. First they are sprayed with a disinfectant solution to neutralize bacteria or mold that may be present. Then the logs get an application of wood stain.

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Exterior Protection: Bark Siding

Using the surrounding forest as a source of inspiration for the overall look of the Blog Cabin, bark siding was chosen for the second-floor exterior.

Chestnut bark was once a popular choice for home siding until a blight killed off nearly the entire species in North America in the 1940s. Today, poplar bark is a top choice and provides rustic beauty as well as effective protection from the elements.

To harvest the bark, a kerf is cut down the length of a newly cut log, and the bark is actually pried and peeled off. The curved bark is then stacked, flattened and air-dried. When the bark siding is applied, a vapor barrier placed behind the bark siding helps prevent moisture buildup and deterioration.

Bark siding, installed

	Figure A
	Figure B

Exterior Protection: Bleach-Solution Treatment and Stain

The Blog Cabin has about 1000 square feet of stainable exterior log surface-area, but only required about 12 gallons of stain to finish the outside of the cabin.

Since white pine, the wood selected for the exterior logs, has a tendency to grow mold, the exterior logs were prepped with a bleach solution prior to staining. For best results, the stain should be applied within 48 hours of the bleach treatment.

Wearing respirators to help protect against breathing of fumes, Simon applied the stain using an airless paint sprayer (figure A) as Chris and Amy followed behind, back-brushing — smoothing out the stain application by hand using brushes (figure B). The brushing step helps to ensure an even coat, with no bubbles or drips. Since spraying is a faster process than brushing, the challenge is for the "brushers" to complete their work before the stain has a chance to dry.

According to Simon, log stain — like stain or paint used on conventional houses — needs to be re-applied every three to five years. The life of the stain can be extended somewhat with a good washing once or twice yearly.

RESOURCES :

Special resources for DIY's Blog Cabin 100 series

Baird and Wilson Sheetmetal (cabin roof)
www.bairdandwilson.com

Aespyre Custom Metal
www.aespyre.com

Rolling Rock Building Stone Inc.
www.rollrock.com

Heat & Glo Fireplaces
www.hearthnhome.com

Peachtree Doors and Windows
www.peachtreedoor.com

InsulTechnology
www.insultechnology.com

Lumber Liquidators
www.lumberliquidators.com

Wildwood Cabinets Luxury Handcrafted Cabinetry
www.wildwoodcabinets.com

Mountain Sage Gallery
www.mountain-sage-gallery.com

Stonecraft Inc.
www.stonecraftusa.com

Crossville Ceramics
www.crossvilleinc.com

Nuheat Industries Ltd.
www.nuheat.com

Kohler
www.kohler.com

Cobble Systems Inc.
www.cobblesystems.com/index.html

Rolling Rock Building Stone
www.rollrock.com

Hampton Bay
www.hamptonbay.com